FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: August 17, 2017

Contacts: Matt Birchenough, 201-916-1032, media@drugfreenj.org

PDFNJ Fishing Tournament Brings Families Together

MILLBURN — The Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey announced six winners today in its third annual Don’t Get Hooked on Drugs Online NJ Family Fishing Tournament.

Randi Jones of Pine Brook, Samuel Parisi of Millville, Melanie Campagna Bowie of Winslow Township, Heather Allen Ostervich of Union Beach, Kristin Salvi Edson of Fair Lawn and Dan Imbimbo of Brick were randomly selected as the winners in the competition, which received more than 30 submitted photos of people enjoying quality time fishing with their children. Each winner will receive a $100 gift card.

The goal of the fishing tournament, which ran August 4-13, was to encourage families to plan and enjoy fun outings with their children. With more free time on their hands, children are more vulnerable and sometimes make poor decisions, which amplifies the importance of spending time together as a family.

Children who communicate regularly with their parents about their daily activities are 67 percent less likely to be involved in substance abuse than children who have little or no communication, according to research conducted by the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey.

“The Don't Get Hooked on Drugs Online NJ Family Fishing Tournament motivated families to get involved in some summertime fun,” PDFNJ Executive Director Angelo Valente said. “In a world where children constantly stay plugged into technology, a day of fishing represented a nice break for family members to talk with one another more about their daily activities.”

Photos of all participants can be viewed on the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey’s Facebook (@PartnershipForADrugFreeNewJersey), Twitter (@DrugFreeNJ) and Instagram (@DrugFreeNJ) platforms.

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Best known for its statewide anti-drug advertising campaign, the Partnership for a Drug-Free New Jersey is a private not-for-profit coalition of professionals from the communications, corporate and government communities whose collective mission is to reduce demand for illicit drugs in New Jersey through media communication.  To date, more than $70 million in broadcast time and print space has been donated to the Partnership’s New Jersey campaign, making it the largest public service advertising campaign in New Jersey’s history. Since its inception, the Partnership has garnered 166 advertising and public relations awards from national, regional and statewide media organizations.